UFC: After injury withdrawal, Paul Taylor announces retirement

After an injury spoiled a planned return from a 32-month layoff, UFC veteran Paul Taylor has announced his MMA retirement.

UFC officials today announced the news.

Taylor (11-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC), who first debuted with the UFC in 2007, has been on the sidelines since February 2011, when he scored a head-kick knockout of Gabe Ruediger at UFC 126. He was booked for no fewer than four subsequent bouts, but an array of injuries – ranging from a broken foot to whiplash – forced him out of each one.

The 33-year-old English fighter’s most recent booking was slated for Oct. 26, when he was scheduled to fight fellow lightweight Anthony Njokuani (16-7 MMA, 3-3 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 30 in Manchester, England. It was the the third time UFC officials tried to book a fight between the strikers.

It’s an unfortunate ending to a career that saw three UFC “Fight of the Night” bonuses during a 4-5 run in the promotion. As the UFC looked to expand its footprint overseas, Taylor appeared in six of the UFC’s cards that were held in his native England.

“Relentless,” a Cage Rage vet who made his pro debut in 2002, concludes his career with eight stoppages in 11 career wins.